Chapter 3 - part 1 - Road signalling and the order of priority

Reference articles from the legislation in force

OUG = EMERGENCY ORDINANCE no. 195 of December 12, 2002 (Road Traffic Code)
Regulation = REGULATION for the implementation of OUG 195/2002 (Road Traffic Code Regulation)

OUG - Article 29

(1) Traffic on public roads takes place in accordance with the traffic rules and with the observance of the meaning of the road signalling carried out by the signalling means, the signals and indications of the traffic police officer who directs the traffic, the special light or sound warning signals, temporary signalling and the signals of the drivers of vehicles.

OUG - Article 30

(1) The road signalling means are:

a) light or sound signalling systems;
b) signs;
c) markings;
d) other special devices.

OUG - Article 31

Traffic participants must respect the traffic rules, the signals, indications and orders of the traffic police officer, as well as the meaning of the different types of road signalling means, in the following order of priority:

a) the signals, indications and orders of the traffic police officer;
b) the special light or sound warning signals of the motor vehicles provided in art. 32 paragraph (2) letter a) and b);
c) temporary signalling and/or electronic signs that modify the normal traffic flow; (Letter c) was amended in the law and updated also on Școala Rutieră on 02-01-2023)
d) light or sound signals;
e) signs;
f) markings;
g) traffic rules.

If you cannot/do not want to watch the AUDIO-VIDEO version of the course, you can read the text version illustrated with images.

Text version Chapter 3 - part 1 - Road signalling and the order of priority

Road signalling

Road signalling is carried out by (art. 29 paragraph 1 of the OUG):

• Road signalling means (which may be)(art. 30 paragraph 1 of the OUG):

• The signals and indications of the traffic police officer who directs the traffic;
• The special light or sound warning signals;
• Temporary signalling means;
• The signals of the drivers of vehicles.

The order of observing the meaning of road signalling

Traffic participants must respect the traffic rules, the signals, indications and orders of the traffic police officer, as well as the meaning of the different types of road signalling means, in the following order of priority (art. 31 of the OUG):

a) (They will be observed with priority over all other signalling means) the signals, indications and orders of the traffic police officer; (these having the highest degree of priority)

b) (in the absence of the traffic police officer, we will observe with priority) the special light and sound warning signals of the motor vehicles with priority traffic regime (provided in art. 32 paragraph 2 letters a and b of the OUG);

c) (in the absence of the special light and sound warning signals of the motor vehicles with priority traffic regime, we will observe with priority) the temporary signalling and/or electronic signs that modify the normal traffic flow;

d) (in the absence of the temporary signalling that modifies the normal traffic flow, we will observe with priority) light or sound signals;

e) (in the absence of light or sound signals, we will observe with priority) road signs;

f) (in the absence of road signs, we will observe with priority) road markings;

g) (in the absence of road markings, we will observe with priority) traffic rules.